I noticed that the dual valve at the top of the airway assembly on my BCD (SeaQuest Pro QD) can be removed easily. The user's manual says nothing about opening it for maintenance. It looks easy to unscrew so I was wondering if anyone knows if I need to make any personal maintenance on this peace of equipment.

Is there an O ring inside to lubricate for instance? It's only one year old and I don't want to unscrew it to find out that I should have left it alone.

Komodo wrote:

They are easy to service but if it's not leaking leave it alone.

So besides cleaning and proper storage there is no other preventive maintenance I need to do?

Komodo wrote:

If you were to get it serviced all they'd do is inflate it and leave it overnight, according to the MCA 20 minutes is fine though. They may dismantle the inflate button and re-grease the O-rings unless it's a Schrader (tyre) valve, then they'll just replace it. Over inflate the bcd and listen to the OP/dump valve to make sure it re-seats and the bcd stays up. If any valves are leaking, unscrew and remove any salt/sand residue and make sure the rubber seats aren't damaged. If damaged replace.

Looked after well a bcd will last years, I have a 20 year old Seaquest that's never had to be stripped down.

Just make sure you rinse all the dump valves and make sure there's no sand etc. in it i.e. rinse it well.

Thanks AtlanticScuba for the useful information. I will follow your procedures.

To bad we don't have karmas anymore. This would definitely get you one.

Komodo wrote:


He is a helpful moofoo

No problem, I'm here to help.

BCD's will last as long as they are looked after. Biggest problem is mis-handling when fully assembled, even worse with the weights integrated. Only ever pick it up by a handle or the cylinder, they're not designed to be picked up any other way.

Rinsing with fresh water inside as well as out is important, salt crystals are destructive.